How Do You Know?
Today’s question for the homeschoolers is an interesting one. Mostly because the answers will be so different, and yet so much the same. For those who have beenhomeschooling for a while I’m sure it will seem silly, but for brand new homeschoolers this can be one huge hurdle.
There are so many choices out there. I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the styles, methods, curriculums, and themes. How do you know what curriculum to use???
Think back to when you first started homeschooling. How did you know you had found “the way”? I am certainly looking forward to everyone’s answers on this.
And remember, if you have a question about homeschooling feel free to ask. You can either leave me a comment or contact me. Every Friday a new question will be posted and you can sit back while a buzz of answers comes your way.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:02 am
This is an easier question for me since we just started last year (I cannot remember much farther back than that LOL). I asked for lots of information from other homeschooling friends and found a lot on the internet. Any books that the library had I checked out and read, discarding the ones I didn’t feel would fit to our family. When I had it narrowed down to what we’re using now I bought my own copy of the book so that I could read it and re-read it and re-read it again for the details and to focus on where we are now. The book covers all the way up through college, for example, but I don’t have to worry so much about that part yet with 3 little ones at home. I love this approach because I have an overall scope and sequence that I can turn to again and again for planning and selecting specific materials for each child and subject. I also make sure to remember the top reasons why we decided to homeschool so that our priorities fit into our family. Hope that helps!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:26 am
For me, it was about examining what my child already loved to do, and then basing the curriculum on that. He loves to read, draw, and play on the computer, so we do a lot of reading books, and a lot of computer “games” that teach. Not so much on the workbooks, not so much on the paperwork at all. Heavy on the drawing, reading, and computer games. If you know what your child loves, and you can make “School” look as much like that as possible, then school will always be fun.
BTW I see you are in the TLB homeschool community. How does one join that? I recently moved my blog to its own domain name, off the local paper’s web site, and now that I can participate in the community more (because I can control my own sidebar finally!) I am itching to do so!
:)
August 31st, 2007 at 7:39 pm
It’s been a while for me (going into my 8th year) but I now have a 3 year old as well so starting some of the processes over again. As far as styles and philosophies goes I read, read and read. Most homeschool support groups (or search on the internet) or my favorite homeschool catalogues, have a great reading list on philosophies. When I read if the philosophy made sense to me (when I went YES, exactly) and I thought it would fit our family and our goals I would find more books on this style and philosophy. If I read and I thought “this will never work for us” or “this does not fit our goals” I wouldn’t bother reading any more on that philosophy or style. But I think the hard part was learning that what I did in our family didn’t mean that everyone else should do it that way, or if my best homeschooling friend was using such a such that didn’t mean it would work for my family. (I spent a lot of time and energy on those ones). Now I celebrate the fact that each and every homeschool family does what works for them (AMEN!). I believe we all become eclectic homeschoolers in the end anyways. Once the style/philosophy is out of the way, I focus on the child. My child was easy, if you gave him something that he thought was dumb he told me! LOL! But I think the key is to be okay with whatever it is. My son is not a writer so I had to be okay with doing math orally for example and not having a math workbook to “show off” what he knew. Once I was ok with that we had a lot of fun with all subjects including math. And when in doubt ASK THEM, you’ll be amazed at what they come up with and it will tell you a lot, if you listen. And lastly as far a “curriculum” goes I think it’s really “age dependent” personally if I was to do it over again I would read aloud more, go on field trips and follow the kids interests using the library, the internet and people who have a passion for the subject. And if you do use curriculum let it be your servant not your master. If/when I use curriculum I use it more as a “guide” or a base for ideas. Did you know you don’t have to do every page? Oh and I would look for curriculum that is good for all age levels (one thing that’s good for K-12 for e.g.). It’s the best bang for your buck and if you find something that works it will give you years of service rather than just one year. Ok I think that’s it for me, sorry it’s long. I love questions/answers it’s so encouraging to read how everyone does things.
September 1st, 2007 at 6:51 am
That one is hard. I have been Home schooling for 3 years now. I had no idea how to home school or even get started. I just knew my little ones where falling through the cracks and needed that x-tra one on one. (They have dyslexia and are doing fine since I have started home schooling) I had so many influences that just over whelmed me and still do some times. I played with a little of this and a little of that and have found what pretty much works for us. A lot of hands on.
I do Konos for I can teach 3 on completely different levels. (I don’t always follow through the whole lay out for that year because I throw in a little of this and that to help my 3 the best.
I go to the library and use their resources a lot. Each year I get a book called ” What a X grader needs to know, to make sure I get in what they need.
Math U See, seems to be one of the greatest things.
If I can’t afford all I need, I use my Internet resources.
My oldest is learning guitar. I bought a CD to help teach him. He can see it, read it, hear it then do it. I have 2 brothers that play and they come and check to make sure he is doing fine.
I do some times let other Home School moms intimidate me, because they seem to be doing a better job or have cooler ideas, then I realize, my kids never see this stuff and they are happy and soaring with what I’m doing.
I’m really glad you posted this. This has help me in a way you will never know!
September 1st, 2007 at 8:21 am
I am not sure if I have found the way yet. I have been homeschooling for 3 years now and I am constantly finding new and interesting things. When I first started homeschooling I did little unit studies with my 6 year old. Three years later I have 2 more children now. I find it more of a challenge because all 3 of my children learn differently. I enjoy trying to find the best thing for my kids. It is like putting together a challenging puzzle. You work on it for so long and you give it all your concentration. Then one day you find the key. Those are the days that make homeschooling worth it.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:23 am
We are new to homeschooling, so I’m not sure if the ‘curriculum’ we picked will end up working out, but for us, it was a gut feeling. When I read “The Well-Trained Mind”, I found myself nodding along and getting really excited about the ideas presented. It is heavy on reading/literature, which I love. It has enough flexibility so that I don’t feel like we are boxed in, but it also presents a definite ‘plan’, which I also need. It also addresses how to teach multiple children, which is important since I have three kids born within four years.
I’m sure we’ll tweak things as we move forward, but so far, it looks like a good thing for us.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:02 pm
[...] 2 by Summer Minor There were lot’s of great responces to yesterday’s question “How do you know what curriculum to use?” It is certainly well worth going back and reading [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 5:08 am
[...] How Do You Know? [...]